Jeremy Alves Opens 2026 Season with Strong Performance at Bakersfield Speedway
Bakersfield, CA — Local 305 sprint car driver Jeremy Alves kicked off his 2026 racing season this past Saturday, March 21, at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, showing early speed and strong potential for the year ahead.
After unloading the car, Alves headed out for hot laps where he immediately felt comfortable with both the car and the track. Following a few adjustments to prepare for changing track conditions, Alves went out late in qualifying, drawing 17th out of 18 cars. He made the most of the opportunity, clocking in at 16.229 seconds, good enough for 4th overall.
Starting 3rd in his heat race, Alves maintained position to finish 3rd. The race served as a valuable opportunity to study the evolving track surface and prepare for the main event later in the night.
Alves rolled off on the outside of the front row for the feature and quickly showed his strength. As the track began to take shape with a cushion forming, he took control early and led 18 of the 25 laps, at one point building an impressive 2.9-second lead. Comfortable and confident, Alves looked poised for a season-opening victory.
However, the race was plagued by multiple early cautions, resulting in numerous pace laps that ultimately affected fuel strategy. A red flag on lap 7 to clean up a crash and methanol on the track created further complications, and with no open red for refueling, fuel quickly became a concern.
Alves continued to lead and manage the race until a caution on lap 18, where he began to hear his car sputter—an early sign that fuel was becoming an issue. When racing resumed, Alves did everything he could to maintain his pace, but the fuel shortage ultimately caught up to him.
Despite the setback, he fought hard to the finish and was able to salvage a 4th place finish.
“Overall, it was a great night,” said Alves. “I felt really comfortable in the car and we showed we have the speed to compete up front. It’s a tough way to miss out on a win, but it’s a great place to start the season.”
Alves now turns his focus to a busy weekend ahead as he prepares to compete this Friday and Saturday night at the Tulare Thunderbowl.
Jeremy would like to thank his 2026 sponsors for their continued support:
Alves & Sons Diesel Repair, Hanford Auto Sales, Westscapes, VanEssen Motorsports, Pacific Towing, and series sponsor Quick Change Liquid Energy.
For updates, follow Jeremy Alves on social media or contact him directly at jalves81a@gmail.com.